Latch for expandable gate

Abstract

A variable width gate adapted to be manipulated to secure the gate within the boundary of an opening, the gate comprising two gate members mounted for sliding movement with respect to each other and each having a lever associated therewith and a releasable locking member for locking the respective levers with respect to relative motion therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A variable width gate adapted to be manipulated to secure the gate within the boundary of an opening, the gate comprising:
 a first panel section and a second panel section, the panel sections coupled to each other to allow each panel section to slide relative to the other panel section, the first panel section including an upper lever pivotally coupled thereto and the second section including a lower lever pivotally coupled thereto; 
 a locking member for releasably locking the first panel section with respect to the second panel section comprised of an upper collar shaped for sliding movement with respect to the upper lever, a lower collar, shaped for sliding movement with respect to the lower lever, the upper and lower collars being fixedly attached to each other, and a release mechanism for releasably preventing the upper and lower collars from sliding movement; 
 wherein the release mechanism comprises a hinged member, the hinged member including a projection thereon for engaging a detent on one of the upper and lower levers; and 
 wherein the upper collar includes a nub on a lower portion thereof for engaging a bottom portion of the upper lever when the projection is engaged with the detent. 
 
     
     
       2. The variable width gate of  claim 1  wherein said detent is a notch formed on a top of the upper lever. 
     
     
       3. The variable width gate of  claim 1  wherein the first panel section and the second panel sections include bumpers on ends thereof. 
     
     
       4. The variable width gate of  claim 1  wherein the hinged member includes a thumb actuator thereon. 
     
     
       5. The variable width gate of  claim 1  wherein the detent is a notch. 
     
     
       6. The variable width gate of  claim 1  wherein the lower lever includes a pivoted loop mounted thereto. 
     
     
       7. The variable width gate of  claim 6  wherein the upper lever includes a plurality of notches thereon shaped to receive an upper portion of the loop. 
     
     
       8. The variable width gate of  claim 7  wherein the notches are uniformly spaced apart. 
     
     
       9. The variable width gate of  claim 8  wherein the upper lever includes widthwise markings thereon. 
     
     
       10. A variable width gate adapted to be manipulated to secure the gate within the boundary of an opening, the gate comprising:
 a first panel section and a second panel section, the panel sections coupled to each other to allow each panel section to slide relative to the other panel section, the first panel section including an upper lever pivotally coupled thereto and the second panel section including a lower lever pivotally coupled thereto; 
 a locking member for releasably locking the first panel section with respect to the second panel section comprised of an upper collar shaped for sliding movement with respect to the upper lever, a lower collar, shaped for sliding movement with respect to the lower lever, the upper and lower collars being fixedly attached to each other, and a release mechanism, comprising a hinged member having a projection thereon for engaging a detent in the upper lever for releasably preventing the upper and lower collars from sliding movement; and 
 wherein the upper collar includes a nub on a lower portion thereof for engaging a bottom portion of the upper lever when the projection is engaged with the detent. 
 
     
     
       11. The variable width gate of  claim 10  wherein the first panel section and the second panel sections include bumpers on ends thereof. 
     
     
       12. The variable width gate of  claim 10  wherein the hinged member includes a thumb actuator thereon. 
     
     
       13. The variable width gate of  claim 10  wherein the lower lever includes a pivoted loop mounted thereto. 
     
     
       14. The variable width gate of  claim 13  wherein the upper lever includes a plurality of notches thereon shaped to receive an upper portion of the loop.